*Courtesy Of The Wrestle Talk Podcast With Joe & Rene* Check out the latest episode from our friends at The Wrestle Talk Podcast With Joe & Rene as PWO’s own Nick Guest Hosts for the first hour of the show, which features interviews with Victor Romanoff And Searcher. Link Below: […]

Notes In Observance – WWE CWC 8/17/16: Fishin’ For The Submission

“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.

(Aired 8/17/16)

Fishin’ For The Submission

– The Cruiserweight Classic continued on, as the opening video showed highlights of last week’s amazing action where Gran Metalik defeated Tajiri and then we were subjected to a mat classic between Cedric Alexander and Kota Ibushi, as the latter advanced. As we wonder how they could possibly top that potential Match Of The Year candidate, we had three more Second Round matches to salivate over – Akira Tozawa Vs. Jack Gallagher, Noam Dar Vs. Hoho Lun and Brian Kendrick Vs. Tony Nese. Let’s roll.

– The Second Round match between Gallagher and Tozawa was a great way to start things. There was a clear contrast between Gallagher’s escapist moveset and Tozawa’s speed and stamina. Call it the “Handlebar Effect,” but the crowd was on Gallagher’s side from the get-go, with emphatic chants of “Jacky Boy!” that echoed for most of the match at times. Gallagher shined in certain spots, most notably where he tied Tozawa into an inescapable ball that he added insult to injury with a kick right to Tozawa’s keister. Tozawa fired back with amped aggression as he tattooed Gallagher’s face with a fake-out jab. Both men’s ring work only got more crafty, as Gallagher worked extensively over Tozawa’s leg. Tozawa used the moment to “play possum” and work some momentum for himself. Tozawa did an excellent job of selling this whole match, as it led into the well-timed finish. Tozawa attempted the German Suplex with a bridge, as Gallagher held on to the injured leg, but eventually fell into the move and suffered defeat. It seemed like the crowd was disappointed by Tozawa going over Gallagher, but that was a great match regardless. Tozawa was expected to go far and Gallagher made a name for himself with these two matches. Tozawa’s win set up a Quarterfinal match between him and Metalik. Nice.

– The Second Round match between Dar and Lun didn’t hold our attention the way the opener did. It was an odd pair and the two didn’t bring out the best in one another. The crowd wasn’t too enthused either outside of Star Wars-related chants for Dar (because it rhymed with Jar Jar) and then his opponent was named Hoho. There was no hope here. Long story short, Lun put in an okay performance, not as crisp as his opening round one, but they opted to go with the youngest competitor Dar advancing as he made Lun tap out to the kicking kneebar. Fine for what it is, but maybe he’ll have a better outing next time. That was awfully weak.

– The Second Round match between Kendrick and Nese already looked good on paper and was even better in actuality. Kendrick was the established veteran who sought a rebirth against Nese who pushed himself as the “Cruiserweight That Hits Like A Heavyweight.” What could go wrong? Nese owned Kendrick early on, as he caught him with stiff kicks and showed off his athleticism with a fancy cartwheel thrown in. Kendrick used the ring to bend the rules, as he caught Nese’s arm in the turnbuckle pad and took advantage. Nose battled back with a pretty athletic sequence, as he continued to throw everything at Kendrick, but Kendrick kicked out every time. It was quickly becoming the match’s story, which was fine. We just wish Daniel Bryan didn’t play Kendrick’s cheerleader on commentary, as it was a little distracting. Nit-picking aside, we liked the building drama as there was less than eight minutes remaining when Nese missed a 450 Splash and got caught in Kendrick’s Bully Choke and tapped. We did think that Nese tapped out too quickly to Kendrick, but still fine as a finish. Plus, it adds fire to Kendrick’s redemption story and Nese cemented his name with another great performance. On another plus, it set up the Quarterfinal bout of Kendrick and Ibsuhi. Holy crap.

– The Second Round would finish out next week, as we were promised matches of Lince Dorado Vs. Rich Swann, Zack Sabre Jr. Vs. Drew Gulak and Johnny Gargano Vs. TJ Perkins. Good stuff.

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About Nicholas Jason Lopez

Just a 26 year-old Brooklynite. Nothing more, nothing less.
Currently Freelancing for The Bensonhurst Bean website in Brooklyn, he has also been published on sites such as Review Fix, College University of New York Athletic Conference, Dying Scene, Brooklyn News Service, All Media NY, BrooklynFans.com and Yahoo Voices.
He has also interned for The Home Reporter/Brooklyn Spectator based out of Brooklyn, NY.